Reza Rahaman

Reza Rahaman is the Bernard M. Gordon Industry Co-Director and Senior Lecturer for the Bernard M. Gordon-MIT Engineering Leadership Program (GEL), UPOP, and the School of Engineering Communications Lab. Dr. Rahaman returned to MIT in 2018 after a 29-year career in the consumer-packaged goods, pharmaceuticals, and agricultural chemical industries. He provides strategic direction and high-level leadership support for UPOP.

Immediately prior to MIT, Reza was the vice president of research, development, and innovation for the Specialty Division of the Clorox Company. In addition to his passion for developing leaders, Reza is passionate about workplace equality and is the vice-chair of the board of Out & Equal Workplace Advocates, the world’s premier nonprofit promoting LGBT+ workplace equality. He and his husband James enjoy travel and hiking.

Reza received his BSc (Eng.) in chemical engineering from Imperial College, University of London, and his MSCEP in Chemical Engineering Practice and PhD in chemical engineering from MIT. As an alum, it is Reza’s primary aim to support students’ journey to a successful and immensely satisfying career every bit as surely, but more quickly and less painfully, than he did.